The choice to wear a helmet is yours, after all the head is yours.
But it would be prudent to know as to what happens when the brain
suffers damage. Our brain can withstand only a limited amount of
traumatic damage. Beyond this the possibility of recovery becomes
remote even with the best of treatment and efforts. Head injuries
fall into two categories: external (usually scalp) injuries and
internal head injuries, which may involve the skull, the blood
vessels within the skull, or the brain. An internal head injury has
more serious possible implications, since the skull serves as a
natural protective helmet for the delicate brain.

The scalp is rich with blood vessels, so even a minor cut to the
scalp can bleed profusely. The "goose egg" or swelling that may
appear on the scalp after a head blow results from the scalp's veins
leaking fluid or blood into (and under) the scalp. It may take days
or weeks to disappear. Any visible or suspected head injury requires
immediate professional neurosurgical intervention. At times, the
damage may not be apparent and tends to be ignored. This should not
be so. If the person has lost consciousness, even momentarily, or
there is the remotest possibility that the brain may have suffered
even the minutest of damage, he should be immediately shifted to a
medical facility.

The brain is cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid, but a severe blow
to the head may knock the brain into the side of the skull or tear
the blood vessels. Any internal head injury - fractured skull, torn
blood vessels, or damage to the brain itself - can be serious and may
even be life-threatening. If the person shows any of the following
symptoms: unconsciousness; abnormal breathing; obvious wound or
fracture; bleeding from the nose, ear, or mouth; disturbance of
speech or vision; pupils of unequal size; weakness or paralysis;
dizziness; neck pain or stiffness; seizure; vomiting; loss of bladder
or bowel control, things are in bad shape. Until help arrives, do not
move the person unless absolutely necessary.

If the person is unconscious or dazed, or there is any paralysis,
do not move him at all - there may be injury to the spine. Place your
hands on either side of his head, and keep him in the position in
which you found him. If he vomits, roll him to the side keeping his
head and neck immobile. If he is not breathing, administer
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If the person is conscious, do your
best to keep him calm and still. If he vomits, sit him up slightly
and help him lean forward, unless you suspect a neck injury; in that
case, keep head and neck immobile and roll him to the side.

If he has a seizure, keep his airway clear.

If there is swelling, apply an ice pack or cold pack.

If there is bleeding, apply a sterile dressing (bandage).

Do not attempt to cleanse the wound, which may aggravate
bleeding and/or cause serious complications if the skull is
fractured.

Do not apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect the
skull is fractured.

Do not remove any object that is stuck in the wound.

So, all said and done, the best policy is to use a helmet when you
are driving or riding a two-wheeler. Play safe because you only live
once.

Editor's Note: And, if you have kids and they see you setting an
example of weraing a helmet, maybe they'll mimick you and play it
safe while doing risky things. And, if you're too macho to wear a
helmet, visit a children's emergency ward sometime or a long-term
care unit for children who have suffered brain damage because they
didn't wear a helmet. Maybe that will change your mind. I hope, for
yours kids sake, it does. Otherwise, get a big insurance policy in
their name. At least you would be doing something right.Source: www.chennaionline.com/health/homearticles/helmet.asp

Only Dumb Parents
Don't Wear Helmets

731 (98%) of bicyclists killed each year in
crashes with vehicles thought that their skull was so strong that it
didn't need a helmet. Guess they thought wrong. There's dumb and then
there's dumber - the ones that are alive and still not wearing a
helmet. For the others, note that accidents increase in summer so
take extra care. Buckle on - a helmet, that is

* * *

Bonehead facts: You have 22 bones in your skull. Don't be a
bonehead. Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle - you
too, dad!